FAA approves GWE for Sikorsky's S-92Sikorsky Aircraft announced the certification by the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, of a gross weight expansion, or GWE, for the S-92 helicopter production configuration. The GWE increases the maximum take-off gross weight from 26,500 to 27,700 pounds allowing operators to carry an additional 1,200 pounds of payload. In addition to GWE, the FAA also certified Sikorsky's S-92 helicopter integrated Traffic Collision Avoidance System, or TCAS, II. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies.

EASA approves VIP Type Certificate for Sikorsky's S-76D helicopterThe European Aviation Safety Administration, or EASA, has approved the VIP Type Certificate for the S-76D helicopter, allowing for operation of the aircraft in Europe. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies.

Sikorsky Aircraft awarded $241.7M government contractSikorsky Aircraft, a United Technologies company, was awarded a $241.7M modification to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0008 to exercise option for a quantity of 22 UH-60M aircraft to support contingency operations. FY15 other procurement funds in the amount of $241.7M were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2016. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut.

Qualcomm extends LTE to unlicensed spectrum to enhance mobile experiencesTo address the increasing demand for mobile data, Qualcomm Technologies, a subsidiary of Qualcomm, is extending LTE to unlicensed spectrum and announced that it has integrated the technology into its latest small cell solutions and RF transceivers for mobile devices. Qualcomm Technologies also announced that it successfully completed over-the-air testing to prove co-existence between multiple LTE-U and Wi-Fi access points in the unlicensed spectrum under extreme load conditions. Qualcomm Technologies will showcase its new solutions with a number of LTE-U demonstrations at Mobile World Congress, March 2-5 in Barcelona, Spain.

Samsung ranks first in 2014 EU patent applicationsThe European Patent Office reports that Samsung (SSNLF) was ranked first in number of European patent applications for 2014 with 2,541 applications filed. Philips (PHG) took second place with 2,317, Siemens (SIEGY) took third with 2,133, BASF (BASFY) took sixth with 1,530, Qualcomm (QCOM) took seventh with 1,459, Ericsson (ERIC) took ninth with 1,347, and Intel (INTC) took 10th with 1,054 applications filed.

United Technologies awarded $407M government contractUnited Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a $407M indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for engine component improvement program. Contractor will provide design improvement, life management/analysis, repair development and test of engines produced by Pratt & Whitney. Work will be performed at East Hartford, Connecticut, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2021. This contract involves foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal year 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5M are being obligated at the time of award for task order 0001. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Aerospace sector downgraded to Neutral from Attractive at GoldmanGoldman downgraded the Aerospace sector to Neutral based on group outperformance and increased downside risks. The firm believes Boeing (BA) and Airbus are now oversupplying the market after a decade of undersupply and replacement demand required to sustain production may prove difficult to achieve. Goldman said accelerated new aircraft replacements was partially due to fuel economics and lower fuel prices and global growth volatility could substantially change Aerospace dynamics. As part of the sector view change, Goldman downgraded Boeing to Sell from Neutral and Precision Castparts (PCP) to Natural from Buy.

Caterpillar retail trends remain negative, says Wells FargoAfter Caterpillar reported earlier that its retail sales of machine declined 14% in the three month period ending in January, Wells Fargo noted that the trend worsened from December's 12% drop and that all regions reported declines. The firm believes retail trends remain negative for Caterpillar shares, on which it keeps a Market Perform rating.

Qualcomm calls active on speculation of an activist investor stakeQualcomm February 70 and 71 calls are active on 12K contracts (1K puts) on speculation of an activist investor stake. February call option implied volatility is at 20, March is at 19; compared to its 26-week average of 22 according to Track Data. Active call volume suggests traders taking positions for large near term price movement.

Caterpillar reports retail machines sales down 14% in three months end JanuaryCaterpillar reported in a filing that its total retail machines sales were down 14% on a three month rolling basis in January. For reference, retail sales of machines were down 12% in the period ending in December and were down 10% in the period ending in November. The company reported world Resources Industries sales down 27% in the January period, which was down fom the 22% drop in the December end period. Construction Industries world sales were down 10%, worse than the 9% drop in the December period. Total Energy & Transportation Retail Sales were up 22% in the January end period, which was the same growth rate as seen in the December period.